Traveling to a new country can be exciting, eye-opening, and filled with unexpected lessons, sometimes learned in the most casual settings. One of the most valuable travel tips I ever received came not from a guidebook, but from a frozen margarita and a friendly bartender at a local pub in Manvel, Texas.

It was my very first visit to the United States, and I was staying with a wonderful host family who often reminded me to keep my passport or some form of identification with me at all times. To be honest, I didn’t understand the big deal. I wasn’t planning to cross any borders while heading out for lunch or dinner.

Then came a laid-back Thursday evening. My host family suggested we go out for dinner, and we found ourselves at a cozy restaurant with a casual atmosphere. We decided to sit by the bar and placed our orders. I requested a frozen margarita, looking forward to unwinding after a long day.

Just as the bartender was about to hand me the drink, he paused and asked, “May I see your ID?”

The look on my face must have said it all, surprise, confusion, and maybe a bit of panic. Meanwhile, my host family gave me the classic “I told you so” expression. In that moment, a flurry of questions ran through my mind: Do I really look that young? Is this because I’m a foreigner? What now?

Thankfully, the bartender picked up on my shock, chuckled warmly, and after a brief moment, chose to serve me the drink anyway understanding that I was indeed of legal drinking age. But the experience left a lasting impression.

This simple moment highlighted a much larger truth: in many countries, especially the United States, it's common practice to ask for identification when ordering alcohol regardless of how old you may appear. As a traveler, not having your ID or travel document handy can cause unnecessary hiccups, delays, or even embarrassment in everyday situations.

It’s always encouraged to carry a valid form of identification, such as a passport or government-issued ID, while exploring abroad. Whether you're booking a tour, checking into a hotel, or simply grabbing a drink, having your documents on hand can make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Deborah Dankyi

Traveling internationally can be exciting, but it also comes with its fair share of surprises. I learned this firsthand during my very first trip to the United States from Ghana, accompanied by a colleague who had made the journey before.

We flew with KLM, departing from Accra with a scheduled layover in Amsterdam before continuing to our destination: Houston, Texas. The itinerary seemed perfect, a smooth 3-hour layover in Amsterdam to catch our connecting flight. However, things quickly took a turn.  

Our flight from Accra was delayed, cutting our comfortable layover down to a stressful 30 minutes. The real challenge began when we landed in Amsterdam: we had to pass through security again, and the queue was incredibly long. Panic set in. Missing our flight felt almost inevitable.  

Thinking quickly, my colleague approached the security agent at the front of the line and explained our situation, pleading for permission to go ahead. Unfortunately, the agent couldn’t allow it, citing that many others in line also had connecting flights and were equally pressed for time.

We didn’t give up. Instead, we patiently stood by and kindly shared our story with the passengers at the front of the queue. To our relief and gratitude, they empathized with us and let us move ahead. We made it through security and reached our gate just in time for boarding.

What’s the key takeaway from this stressful experience? Always account for potential delays when booking international flights with layovers.

Travel Tip:

When traveling internationally, especially through busy transit hubs like Amsterdam, choose layovers of at least 3 hours – and longer if possible. Flight delays, unexpected queues, or additional security checks can shrink your connection window drastically. A seemingly safe layover can turn into a frantic dash through terminals. It’s better to have extra time than to risk missing your flight.

And remember – kindness and clear communication can go a long way when you're in a bind. We made it through thanks to the understanding strangers who helped us. 
 

Deborah Dankyi